Television drama rips Catholicism

, Jul 27, 2007 / 10:34 am (CNA).- Catholic League president Bill Donohue is railing against the latest episode of the FX drama “Rescue Me,” in which Denis Leary’s character refers to the Pope as the biggest gangster on earth and a former nun has sex in a habit.

In the episode, Denis Leary’s character has an exchange with a new firefighter about the Bible. He says the Bible is to Catholics what “The Godfather” is to the Mafia. He then blasts the Catholic Church for being corrupt and maintains that the 12 years he spent in the Church were like being in prison. The biggest gangster on the face of the planet, he contends, is the Pope.

Later in the episode, another firefighter returns to his apartment, one he shares with his girlfriend, a former nun, to find her having sex — while wearing a habit — with his cousin.

Donahue suggested a way to put the ridiculousness of this characterization in context, “Imagine what would happen if every Catholic priest, nun, brother and lay person in the United States who volunteers his or her time in hospitals, clinics, hospices, after-school programs, camps, soup kitchens, day care centers, mental institutions and the like were to go on strike for one day. Would the Denis Learys of this world still be painting them as corrupt and oppressive, led by the world’s biggest gangster? Or would they suddenly realize the yeoman work these selfless people do every day?” commented Donohue.

“What kind of creative genius at FX is responsible for portraying an ex-nun having sex with her habit on?” Donohue continued. “Do they know of any ex-Muslim women who have sex wearing their hijab? For that matter, do they know of any imams who would make Al Capone look saintly?

“Why is it always us (Catholics)? Don’t these guys believe in diversity?” he said. “Or could it be that they know, deep down in their hearts, that we are the one, true religion? After all, that would account for their dismissive attitude toward all the other competitors.”